Q&A with Red Bull's Mark Webber: No KERS? So brake later!
11 Sep 2009

With none of the four championship contenders armed with KERS, the feeling is that victory at Italys high-speed Monza circuit could well go elsewhere. Nevertheless, Red Bulls Mark Webber is cautiously optimistic that a healthy points haul is possible

Q: Mark, how was it running for you today?Mark Webber: Well, as you can imagine it was not ideal as we had an electrical issue and in Monza that puts you always in a tricky situation as you want to be out there doing as many laps as possible and to lose time in P2 - which is an important session - is not ideal. But in the end it was not a bad recovery as the guys fixed the car again in the middle of the session - not that easy to fix and diagnose that quickly - and I am very thankful that they managed the almost impossible.

Q: Are you eyeing a win on Sunday?MW: I never said that we will win, but that we will be in the front. And it is amazing to see where everyone is after P2. All the guys that have won a race this year are in the back - I think with my 14th position I am up the highest from all the championship contenders - but I dont think that is going to be the position tomorrow after qualifying. But yes, there are some quick guys out there as we have seen today. And maybe we will see another unexpected podium after the race.

Q: A lot has been said about the benefits of KERS here in Monza. Is this the track where you would wish to have it on board?MW: Definitely yes. It would be nice. But in the end we know that KERS holds pluses and minuses and obviously Monza is a track where the plusses prevail. On the other hand our car has been sensational on many tracks this year without it and in the end there are 17 races and one is in Monza so you dont turn everything upside down for a single race all because of KERS.

Q: But how do you compensate for not having KERS?MW: Brake later. Thats a joke because if youre on the limit youre on the limit and there is no going further than that. But you can be sure I will try to do my best to let the fact that we are racing without KERS not interfere with our goals.

Q: So what could be your strategy for tomorrow?MW: Qualify as far up as possible with as much fuel as possible.

Q: Did you try the kerbs today?MW: A little bit, but they are different than I thought they would be. I will check them out again tomorrow.

Q: Red Bull has an engine relationship with Renault. Whats your feeling about all these irritations at the moment?MW: Well its a bit frustrating because its not ideal for the sport. I have to say that we have an incredible relationship with Renault. We are not the works team but they way they are treating us is like being a works team. What theyve done for us is fantastic. And in regards to our engine situation for 2010 nobody at the moment can really say what suppliers will be around, so we have to wait and see.

Q: You are managed by Flavio Briatore, like Nelson Piquet. What do you think went so wrong in their relationship that both find themselves in a situation that we are witnessing now?MW: I dont know what went on in their relationship and it is impossible for me to say what went wrong to end up in such a calamity. I just can say that Im happy that it never happened to me.

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